The Warm-ups: Dallas vs. Edmonton Oilers

Welcome to the official coverage of my first game here at Blackoutdallas.com – “The Warm-ups” as I call them are simply your pre-game thoughts and tidbits prior to the drop of the puck each game-day. Whether you’re here to see what might be going on with the Stars from game to game or simply read another fans musings; I hope to see you all here at Blackout Dallas every gameday!

Coming off of their seventh consecutive road win, the Stars should be fired-up about the perfect opportunity sitting in their laps. With a lower-tier Oilers team coming into the AAC tonight at 7:30 – it gives them a perfect chance to get back on track at home. Despite losing the last several at home, the Stars have allowed themselves to stay on top of the Pacific Division by doing their job on other team’s ponds. This trend is not one that can sustain a division lead for long; not in a Western Conference as tight as this year’s. They’re going to have to get some wins at home again if they want to not only stay at the top of the Pacific but also have a possible shot at the President’s Trophy.

But I think we all knew that. And I think the players know that. I also think they know that they can’t coast against any team in this league. Even the Jersey Devils can beat you if you give them the chance, just ask the Lightning – one of the best teams in the East this year.

The Oilers are looking for a big rebound after an absolute dismantling at the hands of a legitimate Canucks team (a 6-1 bewildering). Despite a win against the Islanders (do those still count as wins?) the Oilers come into the new year with a 1-3 record. Not that that is a surprise, but it could mean for a “back to the corner” mentality coming into Dallas knowing that they will be playing the Stars again the next week on January 20th in Edmonton.

But, if we follow what the Stars are doing this season, then we see that games the Stars of last season would amost assuredly lose – then we can count on them to put up a win. Here’s to hoping that this holds true tonight against Taylor Hall and the Oilers… We’ll see Lehtonen back in net for the game and with the injured still… well… injured… we get to take another look at Philip Larsen, which I am especially excited to see how he does as he gets his NHL footing under him with a few games under his belt.

And to get you in the mood, take this offering of Razor as he ponders various thoughts on the Stars and the NHL in general. Just think of it as a nice glass of social lubricant, dimly lit by the flicker of a warm fireplace. Yes, I am coming onto you…

http://blog.dallasstars.com/archives/2011/01/razor_thinks.html